Saraki loses again as Tribunal refuses to quash corruption charges

March 2417:062016

The Code of Conduct Tribunal on Wednesday dismissed an application by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki,
for the charges against him to be quashed. Saraki is standing trial for alleged false declaration of assets.

His lawyer, Kanu Agabi, had argued that the 13-count charge was invalid procedurally because the Code of Conduct Bureau which filed the charges, failed to allow Saraki explain discrepancies in his assets declaration forms as required by law.

The chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar, said there was no breach of law as the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 1989, still allows Saraki raise his clarifications at the level of the tribunal.

Mr. Danladi said by law, the CCB could receive complaints of breach of the Act and refer such complaints to the Tribunal, provided that it will allow the person involved to give a statement affirming or denying the said misconduct.

Also, upholding the argument made by the prosecution, Umar said Section 3 (e) of the 3rd schedule of the 1999 Constitution gives the bureau the right to receive complaints of such nature and where necessary refer such matter to the tribunal.

According to Danladi, Section 174 of the Constitution also gives the Attorney General of the Federation the prerogative to file criminal proceedings and does not owe any explanations to any one on how to go about it.

The chairman ordered the continuation of the trial. Saraki had earlier lost his bid to stop the trial after the the Supreme Court dismissed his objections.